Vessel propulsion.



No. 635,87l. Patnted Oct. 3|, I899. J. & H. w. RITCHIE.

VESSEL PROPULSION.

(Application filed Dec. 20, 1897. Bqnewed Aug. 81, 1899.)

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet l,

Patented Oct. 131*, I899.

No. 635,87l.

' J. 81. H. W. RlTCHlE. VESSEL PROPULSION.

(Application filed Dec. 20, 1897. Renuved Aug. 81, 1899.)

(No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 722 2 cine %0 ill No. 635,87l. Patented Oct. 3|, I899. J. 81. H. W. RITCHIE.

VESSEL PROPULSION.

(Application filed Dec. 20, 1897. Renewed Aug. 31, 1899.) (No Model.) 3 $heets8heet 3,

UNITED STATES PATENT GEEICE.

JOHN RITCHIE AND HARVEY W. RITCHIE, OF GIIIGAGO, ILLINOIS.

VESSEL PROPULSION.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 635,8? 1, dated October 31, 1899. Application filed December 20, 1897.. Renewed August 31, 1899. Serial No. 729,129. (No model.)

T0 on whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN RITCHIE and HARVEY W. RIrcHIE, citizens of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vessel Propulsion; and we do hereby declare the fol lowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improved mech-' anism for the propulsion of marine vessels, and has for its object to provide an adjustable reversible propeller of the expansible collapsible type and mounted on a shaft having a reciprocating endwise action, aswill be hereinafter set forth.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation in outline of the hull of a marine vessel embodying the improved propelling mechanism; Fig. 2, abottom plan. Fig. 3isabrokenaway longitudinal section through the line of the propeller-shaft and propeller; Fig. 4, a transverse section on line 4, Fig. 3, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow, showinga rear elevation of the propeller in its open position; Fig. 5, a transverse section on line 5, Fig. 4; Fig. 6, a transverse section on line 6, Fig. 3; Fig. 7, a broken-away part elevation. and part section on line 7, Fig; 8; Fig. 8, a vertical transverse section on line 8, Fig. 7; and Fig. 9, a broken-away longitudinal section on line 9, Fig. 4.

A may represent the hull of a vessel, B the main propelling-shaft, and C a steam-engine or other suitable motor representing the source from which the necessary power is obtained.

The propeller shaft or shafts are adapted to have a reciprocating endwise movement instead of the usual rotary action. The propeller D is of a conical form and consists of a number of blades arranged radially, surrounding the propeller-shaft and hinged at their inner ends thereto. The series of blades are adjustably joined together and present an unbroken circle or surface to the action of the water and are adapted to have an opening-and-closing movement similar to that of an umbrella. The propeller as a whole is made up of a number of blades of different lengthsarranged in groups, the longer and shorter series alternating with reference to each other. The longer blades E extend beyond the outer ends of theshorter blades F. Each of the series of the longer blades consists of three platesthe outside plate a, the inside plate a, and the middle plate a with a space a between, as shown in Fig. 5. The outer uudetached ends of these plates are held apart by division-pieces a inserted between the ends and arranged on opposite sides of the middle plate and more clearly shown in Fig. 9. The outer ends of the plates and the division-pieces are rigidly secured together by a number of rivets or bolts a inserted therethrough beyond the outer end line of the shorter single blades F. The gap between each group of the longer blades E is filled by the series of shorter blades F, the inner edges of which extend loosely into the space a between the plates of the longer blades. The outer joining edges of each pair of the shorter blades F have a hinge connection a on a hinged rod a running the entire length of the blades. Two shorter blades being placed edge to edge in the space between the longer series are arranged on op posite sides of the middle plate in such series, so that they do not interfere with each other in sliding edgewise together when the propelleris assuming a folding-up position. The

inner ends of the longer blades E are hinged,

as at b, to a collar or band I), rigidly mounted on the propeller-shaft. The inner ends of the series of hinge-rods a also have a hinge connection with the collar 5', as at 12 series of blades are wider at their outer ends, gradually narrowing to the inner ends, so as to provide a propeller of the form shown. By this form of construction and arrangement the entire series of both long and short blades readily and automatically conform to the change of position in opening out to a working position or folding up compactly together.

The main propeller-shaft is hollow, and a reversing-shaft G is inserted longitudinally therein. At a point back of the propeller an enlarged annular space is provided between the adjacent surfaces of the two shafts, forming a chamber b In this chamber are two c mpanion collars b b adj ustably mounted o the reversing-shaft and set some distance The two '2 (Beast- 1 apart, as shown in Fig. 3. A reciprocating ring I) is loosely mounted on the reversingshaft between the companion collars and has a sliding movement limited to the space between said collars. The propeller-shaft is provided with a number of slots 1), Fig. 6, which open into the chamber If. The rear ends of a number of braces b are inserted through these slots and are pivoted to the sliding ring if, as at N. The opposite and outer forward end of these braces are pivoted, as at I), to the series of blades comprising the propeller. The companion collars b will ordinarily be set just the distance apart it is intended to limit the opening-and-closing movement of a series of propeller-blades.

The brace-slots b gradually vanish at their forward ends, the material of the propellershaft being cut down between each slot to present the inclined stop-surface d, Fig. 3, for the forward ends of the, braces, which in their folded position will rest at an oblique angle and hold the propeller-blades at a corresponding angle in the opposite direction when the propeller-shaft is on its inward movement, so as to present the least surface of resistance in the water. In this position there is just sufficient space provided between the folded propeller and its shaft for the pressure of the water to expand the propeller to its working position on the outward thrust of the shaft and present the full area of the propelling surface. On the return movement the pressure of the water forces the propeller-blades into their closed position, so that both the opening and closing actions are entirely automatic.

That portion of the propeller-shaft both back of and in advance of the propeller, Fig. 3, is gradually reduced in diameter, so that the hinge connectionsof theblades willnot project beyond the line of the shaft at its greatest diameter. A sleeve (1 is loosely mounted on the propeller-shaft in advance of the propeller and is rigidly secured to the reversing-shaft by a cross-bar (1 passing through a slot (1 in the propeller-shaft, so that said sleeve may move longitudinally with the reversing-shaft. This sleeve is made flaring at the end adjacent to the propeller for the purpose of covering the hinge connections and presenting a smooth surface to the action of the water and lessen the loss by friction on the go-ahead movement. The reversing-shaft stops short of the inner end of the propeller-shaft, as shown in Fig. 7. At this point a chamber (1 is formed in the propeller-shaft and which opens out through the upper side. A pair of standards (1 d are rigidly secured in place and are located at one side of the propeller-shaft. The upper ends of these standards are connected by a bridge cl, down through which is inserted a screw d having a threaded engagement therein, the lower end of this screw being loosely inserted in a cross-head d and adapted to turn therein. The ends of this cross-head engage loosely with the slots (1 in the standards d and have an up-and-dowii movement in accordance with the direction in which the screw (1 is rotated. The handwheel c1 provides for the convenient rotation of the screw; but instead of being operated by hand, as shown, it may be suitably connected with some motive power.

A curved bracket-arm g has a collar g, forming an integral part thereof and which is mounted on the propeller-shaft. A bell-crank lever H is pivoted to the upper end of arm g, as a 9 The upper end of this bell-crank lever is provided with a guide-roller 9 which rides in a slot 9 formed in the cross-head d the lower end being pivoted to one end of a link 9 the opposite end of which is in turn pivoted to the inner end of the reversingshaft. The position shown in Fig.7 corresponds to the position of the propeller and the different parts illustrated in Fig. 3. The cross-head being at its highest position, the other parts are in their normal go-ahead position. By turning the screw 01 in the proper direction the cross-head d is caused to move downwardly in its guide-standards and the reversing-shaft is drawn back to its innermost position, the dotted lines, Fig. 7, indicating the opposite position of the bell-crank. This movement of the reversing mechanism throws the propeller-blades over to the backing position, (indicated by the dotted lines h in Fig. 3, the lines it showing the position of the braces when the propeller is reversed.)

By means of the regulating and reversing mechanism the opening movement of the pro peller may be limited to any point between the propeller-shaft and the f ull-open position, so that the propeller may be adjusted to present a greater or less area of working surface and the speed of the vessel lessened or increased, as may be necessary. It will be understood that the vertical movement of the cross-head in its standards moves the reversing-shaft inwardly or outwardly in accordance with the direction in which the handwheel is turned. Forillustration, if the crosshead is moved upwardly the stop-collar on the reversing-shaft is moved farther away from the propeller, so that the sliding ring to which the braces are connected comes in contact with it sooner, and the opening movement of the propeller is limited to the precise point desired. The operation is the same when the propeller is working in it reversed or backing position. This arrangement gives a greater area of pushing-surface within a smaller compass than is possible with any of the propellers ordinarily used. The action is more positive and direct, and a better re sult is obtained with a less expenditure of power.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A propeller of the kind described, comprising a series of blades of different lengths arranged alternately and hinged at their innei ends to and radially surrounding a propeller-shaft having a reciprocating endwise movement and adapted to assume an open and closed position alternately in accordance with the direction in which said shaft is moving, substantially as described.

2. A marine propeller, comprising a series of blades of different lengths, the longer blades consisting of a number of plates secured flatwisetogether and providing a space between the several plates, the shorter blades consisting of a single plate each, the adjacent edges of each pair of which having a hinged connection, the opposite edges extending loosely into the space between the plates of the longer blades and adapted to automaticallyconform to the change of position as the propeller closes up and opens out, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a propeller-shaft, having a reciprocating endwise movement, of a propeller, comprising a series of blades of different lengths, the longer blades consisting of three plates with an open space between the several plates, the shorter blades, consisting of a single plate arranged in pairs between the longer blades and having their adjacent edges hinged together, the inner edges extending loosely into the spaces between the plates of the longer blades, substantially as described.

4. The combination with a propeller-shaft, having a reciprocating endwise movement, of the longer propeller-blades, hinged at their inner ends to said shaft, the shorter propellerblades, adj ustably arranged in pairs between each of the longer blades, and a hinge-rod, supported from said shaft, and to which the joining edges of the shorter blades are hinged, substantially as described.

5. The combination with a hollow propellershaft, provided with a number of slots opening into the hollow chambered part, of a propeller, consisting of anu mber of blades,hinged at their inner ends to and radially surrounding said shaft and adapted to have an opening and-closing action, a reversing-shaft, inserted longitudinally in the propeller-shaft, the companion collars,adjustably mounted'on the reversingshaft and set some distance apart, a reciprocating ring, loosely mounted on the reversing-shaft between the companion collars, and anumber of braces, running through the slots in the propeller-shaft and having their rear ends attached to the reciprocating ring and their front ends to the series of blades composing the propeller, substantially as described.

6. The combination with a hollow propellershaft, provided with a number of brace-slots gradually vanishing at their front ends, the propeller, mounted on said shaft, the reversing-shaft, inserted in the propeller-shaft and having an independent endwise adjustment, and the braces, working in said slots and connecting the propeller and reversing shafts,

substantially as described.

7. The combination with a propeller-shaft, gradually reduced in diameter both in advance of and back of the propeller mounted thereon, of a sleeve, made flaring at the rear end and loosely mounted on the propellershaft in front of the propeller, the reversingshaft, and a cross-bar, running through a slot opening in the propeller-shaft and connecting the sleeve with the reversing-shaft, sub= stantially as described.

8. The combination with a hollow propeller shaft, of a reversing-shaft, inserted therein, a chamber, formed in the propeller-shaft in advance of the forward end of the reversingshaft, a pair of standards and their connect ing-bridge, a cross-head, loosely supported between said standards, a screw, having a threaded engagement in said bridge and connecting with said cross-head,a curved bracket= arm, a bell-crank lever, having a guide-pin in its upper end loosely engaging with said cross-head, and a link, connecting the lower end of said bell-crank and the inner end of the reversing-shaft, whereby an endwise movementis imparted to the reversing-shaft by the manipulation of said screw, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we affix our signa-' tures in presence of two witnesses.

.Witnesses:

L. M. FREEMAN, L. B. COUPLAND. 

